Town law targets contractor parking at St. Regis Landing

The town of Harrietstown has drafted a new law designed to keep vehicles belonging to contractors and builders out of a parking area and landing on Upper St. Regis Lake.

Councilman Ron Keough said contractors are hogging the parking spaces and blocking the public from accessing the lake.

Members of the public have also complained that contractor trucks, trailers and other heavy equipment have been blocking access to a public boat launch adjacent to the parking area.

Contractors and builders use the landing to ferry workers and supplies to outlying camps that can only be accessed by water. St. Regis connects to Spitfire Lake, which is also served by the St. Regis Landing.

Both lakes are home to a large number of great camps. They typically have numerous outbuildings and elaborate boathouses - all of which feed a short but vibrant season for builders, camp caretakers and seasonal staff.

But town officials decided to crack down on commercial use of the site after getting an escalating number of complaints form the public.

Councilman Keogh says it's inappropriate for commercial users to monopolize the landing area and jeopardize the public's enjoyment of the lake.

The new town law would bar contractors and other commercial users from parking on the landing for more than 15 minutes to load or unload supplies and equipment. It would also prohibit commercial users from docking boats on town property for more than 15 minutes.

Anyone found in violation of the parking regulations could be fined as much as $150 or jailed for up to 15 days.

A public hearing on the proposed law will be held at 6:50 p.m. Thursday, April 28.